In May 2024, "Konjaku-So Nara Naramachi Sauna Villa" had its grand opening, featuring a private sauna!
It was my first time using a private sauna, and it was such an excellent experience that I want to share its charm with everyone☺
Contents
A Brief History of Japanese Baths
Did you know about the history of bathing in Japan? It is said that the culture of bathing spread in Japan with the introduction of Buddhism during the Nara period. Monks used steam baths called "Karafuro" to purify their bodies. This style, which involved sweating out impurities and then rinsing off in an outdoor water area, resembles modern saunas.
Off to the "Karafuro" (Sauna) at Konjaku-so Nara Naramachi Sauna Villa
Inspired by this historical context, the sauna at Konjaku-So is designed with low sliding wooden doors.
For sauna preparation, we first set the room temperature, filled the cold bath with water drawn from the basement, and took sport drink from the fridge and placed it in the relaxation area.
Immersed in the scent of Hinoki cypress
With a mat in hand, we slid the door open and were immediately immersed in the scent of hinoki cypress😌
This aroma is something you can't capture in a photo, so I want to emphasize it—its gentle, calming fragrance was both physically and mentally soothing. While deep breaths were challenging when the room reached around 90 °C, starting at a lower temperature allowed us to breathe in the hinoki aroma deeply, which was incredibly relaxing.
(Oronamin C + Pocari Sweat 😋)
Luxurious Private Space
Another significant charm I felt was the "complete privacy."
Having only experienced public saunas at spas, I found it incredibly enjoyable to be in an environment with just a friend, casually chatting, sweating profusely, and plunging into the cold bath together, all without any concerns about others.
It was also our first time doing a löyly (evaporating hot steam) ourselves. We had a lot of fun figuring it out, laughing, "Is it this way...? If we pour water on the front stones, it splashes back at us?! Yikes!"
After the cold bath, we lounged on sauna chairs in a space overlooking a Japanese garden, relishing the sensation of our core temperature cooling down and the refreshing air passing through our throats.
Highlights of the Private Sauna at Konjaku-so Nara Naramachi Sauna Villa
Based on my visit, I've written about the aspects of the sauna that I especially want to highlight. Stepping away from the screen light and the hustle and bustle of the city, it felt like my mind, tightly packed like puzzle pieces, was gently unwound, providing an extraordinary, premium experience.
Additionally, the state-of-the-art facilities, the various welcome drinks, and the numerous izakayas offering local specialties within walking distance made me truly appreciate the house's appeal.
*You will be redirected to the Konjaku-So Official Booking Page.